Serena Smith 2.19

GPA 2.19

English Literature

University of Leeds

8 March

5 places in Leeds where you can hang out on your own

...without looking lonely

Sometimes, you just want to be alone, and that’s cool. In Leeds, where people turn up to lectures still wearing glitter from last night’s stint at Beaver Works, no one’s going to judge you for anything anyway – but here are some places you can go to get away from people and know you'll face 0 judgment for it.

1. Terrace

Terrace, located in the Leeds Uni Union, is a great place to grab a cuppa and do some work on your own. It's packed with students doing their own thing; no one is going to care if you happen to be friendless. It’s also dirt cheap – a cup of tea will set you back £1. You’re likely to spy loads of other students also going it alone in Terrace - so you won’t stick out like a sore thumb, I assure you.

Leeds University Union, 4 Lifton Place, Leeds, LS2 9JZ.

2. Woodhouse Moor

I’ve gone for loads of walks round Woodhouse Moor by myself. If you’re in Hyde Park, it’s literally on your doorstep, so there’s no excuse. It’s pretty small, admittedly, but I find a few laps of it helps to clear my head. When was the last time you looked at someone walking through here and thought ‘ha, they’re all alone?’. Never. So no one will judge you, guaranteed.

3. LS6

Again, a regular haunt for anyone who lives in Hyde Park, LS6 is the perfect place for some 'you time'. Rammed with young families and students taking their parents out, no one will notice if you grab a table in the corner and chow down on some brunch by yourself. Seriously, the food is so good that everyone’s going to be too engrossed in their avocado toast to realise you’re alone.

LS6 Cafe, 16 Headingley Ln, Leeds LS6 2AS.

4. Beaver Works

Hear me out – I’ve never gone to Beaver Works alone before, but I did get horrifically lost in there once, and still managed to have a good time despite the fact I found my friends five minutes before the event ended. What is it about people in Beaver Works that makes them so friendly? I reckon if an event at Beaver Works comes up and you’re dying to go but have no one to go with, you should go it alone. Attach yourself to a random group of people or just boogie by yourself – no one will judge you, I promise.

Beaver Works, 36 Whitehouse St, Leeds, LS10 1AD.

5. Common Ground

Located in the Union again, I’ve seen many a student sit here on their own quite happily. Everyone’s probably too busy chowing down on a Wok & Go they got from Union Square next door, so no one will notice when you slip in and take a seat on your own. A café with a study and gaming area, serving up coffee and an array of nibbles, what’s not to love? No one’s going to blame you for rocking up alone. I would do it.

Leeds University Union, 4 Lifton Place, Leeds, LS2 9JZ.

Got any recommendations for places to chill alone in Leeds? Let me know in the comments below!